It's 4pm and Lizzy still hasn't taken her nap. I just spent the last 30 min in her room, laying on the floor pretending to sleep, hoping she would follow suit. She didn't. However, what she did do was pretty revealing.
She's not napping because she is trying like mad to escape...(cue dark foreboding music)...her crib!
I know because I watched her try over and over again. She lifts her leg up and over the rail so that her knee can almost completely bend over the top. crazy! Then she actually gets her other leg up off the mattress! She's almost figured out how to escape! and I'm guessing that's not going to take long.
I knew her "crib break" was in the making, but I had no idea how close she was to actually succeeding. She's such a determined little problem solver (e.g., remember her climbing tactics?) that I'm thinking I may need to buckle down and set up a toddler or twin bed.
O, scary, scary thought.
I'm imagining episodes of Nanny 911 and Supernanny becoming all too real for me. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, I mean I'm afraid it's going to take hours of repeatedly putting her back in bed before she finally actually sleeps. Will no crib equal no sleep? or at least very painful bedtimes? Are DH and I going to have to spend our nights trying to get her to sleep in her own big-girl bed?
Knowing how difficult she's been sleep-wise since day 1, I'm really nervous about ousting the crib. But if she's climbing out, she could fall on her head/neck and seriously injure herself.
What to do? What to do?
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Monday, September 11, 2006
Quality Time
My Friday afternoon break was wonderful.
Here's what I did:
1. Ran small errand (aren't I good, doing the "work" first?)
2. Browsed the consignment store nearby & found a solid teak console table for $49. Unbelievable price and very smart looking. Put the table on hold.
3. Wandered next door to the new southwestern/Mexican collectibles store. Lots of Native American and Mexican pottery, glassware, linens, art, etc. Found a large copper vase that was absolutely stunning. It was pressed into different shades and then finely etched with flowers, vines, and other embellishments. I remarked how pretty the piece was, and the saleswoman informed me it was "one of a kind." It really was beautiful. So, I checked the price: $800. (ahem.) Didn't think DH would find it that beautiful, so I put it down and promptly left the store.
By then, an hour had gone by, and I was starting to feel like my time was slipping away too fast. Shopping is fun, but I wanted to get some time to sit and just rest, reflect, and rejuvenate. I figured I could be gone at least another 1/2 hour, so I decided to drive to main street and check out a local coffee shop that had just reopened under new management. It was the best thing I could have done.
Ordered coffee and a snack. I had grabbed the latest Oprah mag from my car (it's my reading material in case Lizzy falls asleep while we're out--sometimes I just let her sleep while I sit and read. She's a tough little gal to get to sleep, so I try and take advantage of it when I can).
With all my accoutrements, I finally settled at one of the outside tables. It was about 4pm, sunny, warm, cars & pedestrians drifting by. The feel of Friday evening, the weekend was freshly settling on main street. Joival women looked in shop windows, while business men in suits walked by with their briefcases, coats, and keys in their clutches.
I opened & read some of the mag, but it was so wonderful to sit and just watch people and be in the present in the moment. When I noticed I was seated next to a sprightly patch of flowers, and I gazed upon their glorious color and watched their perky petals jostling in the breeze, I felt unspeakably happy and refreshed. It was a grand moment. Simple, but utterly magnificent.
I sat at that table for about 30 min, smiling and enjoying my coffee, pumpkin bread, and the peaceful, easy feeling of watching the world go by.
When I got home, I thanked my FIL and told him how wonderful it was to just sit outside and enjoy some coffee without my little Lizzie there. He laughed. Not sure why he laughed, but I told him, "no, really, it was wonderful. thank you!" and I think then he got the message.
Everyone needs time away, even if it's just for 1-2 hours.
And no $49 table or $800 vase could have given me that kind of smile.
Here's what I did:
1. Ran small errand (aren't I good, doing the "work" first?)
2. Browsed the consignment store nearby & found a solid teak console table for $49. Unbelievable price and very smart looking. Put the table on hold.
3. Wandered next door to the new southwestern/Mexican collectibles store. Lots of Native American and Mexican pottery, glassware, linens, art, etc. Found a large copper vase that was absolutely stunning. It was pressed into different shades and then finely etched with flowers, vines, and other embellishments. I remarked how pretty the piece was, and the saleswoman informed me it was "one of a kind." It really was beautiful. So, I checked the price: $800. (ahem.) Didn't think DH would find it that beautiful, so I put it down and promptly left the store.
By then, an hour had gone by, and I was starting to feel like my time was slipping away too fast. Shopping is fun, but I wanted to get some time to sit and just rest, reflect, and rejuvenate. I figured I could be gone at least another 1/2 hour, so I decided to drive to main street and check out a local coffee shop that had just reopened under new management. It was the best thing I could have done.
Ordered coffee and a snack. I had grabbed the latest Oprah mag from my car (it's my reading material in case Lizzy falls asleep while we're out--sometimes I just let her sleep while I sit and read. She's a tough little gal to get to sleep, so I try and take advantage of it when I can).
With all my accoutrements, I finally settled at one of the outside tables. It was about 4pm, sunny, warm, cars & pedestrians drifting by. The feel of Friday evening, the weekend was freshly settling on main street. Joival women looked in shop windows, while business men in suits walked by with their briefcases, coats, and keys in their clutches.
I opened & read some of the mag, but it was so wonderful to sit and just watch people and be in the present in the moment. When I noticed I was seated next to a sprightly patch of flowers, and I gazed upon their glorious color and watched their perky petals jostling in the breeze, I felt unspeakably happy and refreshed. It was a grand moment. Simple, but utterly magnificent.
I sat at that table for about 30 min, smiling and enjoying my coffee, pumpkin bread, and the peaceful, easy feeling of watching the world go by.
When I got home, I thanked my FIL and told him how wonderful it was to just sit outside and enjoy some coffee without my little Lizzie there. He laughed. Not sure why he laughed, but I told him, "no, really, it was wonderful. thank you!" and I think then he got the message.
Everyone needs time away, even if it's just for 1-2 hours.
And no $49 table or $800 vase could have given me that kind of smile.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Freetime & Sleeptime
DH's been out of town on business all week, so my FIL offered to come over today and give me an hour or so off to do whatever I want to do. Isn't that nice of him!? My in-laws really are great.
It's so funny, knowing that I have a little block a free time on the horizon, my mind starts rolling, trying to decide what to do with it.
- Should I go get that pedicure I keep talking about getting?
- Are there any movies out that I really want to see?
- Should I just spent it reading/chatting at Starbucks?
- Do I have any errands that would be easier done on my own (now that's a good one. I should say what errands are there and do I even feel like doing them during my "free time"?)
I wish I was one of those people that immediately knew how to best spend sudden blocks of free time, but usually I grapple with the options. It is fun to think of all the possibilities though, and I suppose by doing so I'm already enjoying the time off, you know, by spending time imagining all the cool things I could do.
I'm thinking I might just do a little leisurely shopping (impossible when I'm with Lizzy, and I love to take my time shopping!) and couple that with a small errand.
I feel so nerdy getting excited about this little venture. Makes me step back and notice just how much my life has changed since becoming a mom.
Speaking of mommyhood, Lizzy has been pretty challenging this week with sleeping. Yesterday she didn't want to take her nap (she did end up sleeping for about 40 min on the sofa after I rescued her from the crib) and then she doth protest(ed?) too much at her bedtime. I knew she was tired, but she was just acting hysterical, screaming her little head off and getting the choking cough.
I went in a couple of times, but to no avail. Her birds sadly needed batteries, but that's happened before and she's been okay. I brought her downstairs and she kept saying "go" (????) which could mean LOTS of things, so very confusing.
I held her on the sofa, and, as she would start to fall asleep, she'd rouse herself up and climb down to the floor to do who knows what. After about 45 min of this, I took her upstairs to my room and laid down with her on the big bed. I sang her a couple of lullabys and she basically went right to sleep.
Time: 1015pm. She got up at 530am, so I have NO IDEA what was keeping her awake. Needless to say I was tired after 17 hours. Didn't stop me from watching Janelle get tossed out of Big Brother All Stars. damn.
Lizzy fought her nap today too, but she did eventually stop crying and fell asleep, in her crib....ahhhhh.... thankyou thankyou thankyou.
Aw well. gotta go straighten up a little bit before FIL comes on over. I'll have to report back on how I actually spent my freetime! woo hoo
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Our Time
Dear Elizabeth,
Today you went to your first class ever, Kindermusik: Our Time. It is a class for 1 1/2 to 3 year olds, and you are one week away from your 18-month birthday.
I think you may have been the youngest one there, because many of the kids could talk in sentences and they clearly understood what the teacher was saying. It was completely new for you, and, despite your rampant curiousity and non-stop roaming about the room, you did wonderfully.
Granted, the whole experience was much more structured than you are used to. You spent most of the class exploring the folding chairs and watching (if you can call it that) from the sidelines, while everyone else was sitting in a (sortof) circle on the floor.
Melissa, our teacher, led simple songs and movement (like swaying, singing, and tapping the floor). You were much more interested in what was actually on the floor, like other peoples' shoes. You even brought me a couple of different pairs to put on your feet. They weren't yours, and they were way too big for you.
At one point you played with another lady's keys. The lady looked worried that you would lose them. I asked you nicely to give them to me, and you did. When I returned them to the lady, I told her sorry, and she smiled at me.
You also threw down one of the bells that Melissa gave to you to shake and play with. Yes, it made a great big noise. And it was okay. Luckily these were all mommies who understand your gregarious, 18-month-old curiosity.
You made mommy very proud when Melissa played a quiet song and you let me hold you like the other mommies gently holding their own girls. (amazingly, there were no boys in this class.) You also knew how to "dust" off the chairs and "clean" the room with the dustcloth that Melissa handed out to everyone.
The most amazing thing that you did during class was that you sat still and paid attention to the entire book that Melissa showed the class. You thought the blanket she laid out was soft, and at one point you even laid down on it to test its coziness. Melissa showed everyone pictures in the storybook and you looked at many of the pages from your spot on the blanket.
Pretty soon you will be riveted by many stories and songs, not just by pictures, shoes, and other peoples' keys (although clearly those are interesting too).
By the end of class you had demonstrated an interest in what was happening and even joined in storytime and the goodbye song. I'd say that's pretty wonderful for a 45-minute class, an eternity for you.
My little Lizzie, you are learning so much everyday, and I am so very proud of you. You are extremely bright and are always thinking and processing information. You can only say a few words, but I know that you thoroughly enjoyed your first class today. I could tell because afterwards you were worn out and tired from the excitement. Even when AJ and P came over to visit after class, you weren't your normal boundless self. You were ready for your nap. (Don't worry, they understood. Learning is tiring work!)
You are about to embark on an amazing discovery: linguistic, cognitive, and social development...well, that's many discoveries. Yes, you've still got a lot to learn. And mommy is here with you every step of the way.
Me quitting my job and staying home with you is the crux of what "Our Time" means. And I am positively thrilled at the prospect of watching you grow up. (not too quickly though, ok?)
Right now you are in this wonderful transition period between baby and toddler: that is, sometimes you are still a little babylike--where you explore things by putting them into your mouth, garble "words," and exist in your own world sometimes--and other times you show older, more toddlerlike behavior--where you try to communicate with words and affectionate gestures (you are truly an amazing hugger), you follow simple directions and participate in adult-led activites, and sometimes you can even eat snack from a bowl without spilling anything.
Today, by playing and learning with the "big girls," you took a big step towards toddlerhood.
And I am so very proud of you.
Love,
Mommy
technorati tags: toddlers, first day of class, kindermusik, our time, letters
Today you went to your first class ever, Kindermusik: Our Time. It is a class for 1 1/2 to 3 year olds, and you are one week away from your 18-month birthday.
I think you may have been the youngest one there, because many of the kids could talk in sentences and they clearly understood what the teacher was saying. It was completely new for you, and, despite your rampant curiousity and non-stop roaming about the room, you did wonderfully.
Granted, the whole experience was much more structured than you are used to. You spent most of the class exploring the folding chairs and watching (if you can call it that) from the sidelines, while everyone else was sitting in a (sortof) circle on the floor.
Melissa, our teacher, led simple songs and movement (like swaying, singing, and tapping the floor). You were much more interested in what was actually on the floor, like other peoples' shoes. You even brought me a couple of different pairs to put on your feet. They weren't yours, and they were way too big for you.
At one point you played with another lady's keys. The lady looked worried that you would lose them. I asked you nicely to give them to me, and you did. When I returned them to the lady, I told her sorry, and she smiled at me.
You also threw down one of the bells that Melissa gave to you to shake and play with. Yes, it made a great big noise. And it was okay. Luckily these were all mommies who understand your gregarious, 18-month-old curiosity.
You made mommy very proud when Melissa played a quiet song and you let me hold you like the other mommies gently holding their own girls. (amazingly, there were no boys in this class.) You also knew how to "dust" off the chairs and "clean" the room with the dustcloth that Melissa handed out to everyone.
The most amazing thing that you did during class was that you sat still and paid attention to the entire book that Melissa showed the class. You thought the blanket she laid out was soft, and at one point you even laid down on it to test its coziness. Melissa showed everyone pictures in the storybook and you looked at many of the pages from your spot on the blanket.
Pretty soon you will be riveted by many stories and songs, not just by pictures, shoes, and other peoples' keys (although clearly those are interesting too).
By the end of class you had demonstrated an interest in what was happening and even joined in storytime and the goodbye song. I'd say that's pretty wonderful for a 45-minute class, an eternity for you.
My little Lizzie, you are learning so much everyday, and I am so very proud of you. You are extremely bright and are always thinking and processing information. You can only say a few words, but I know that you thoroughly enjoyed your first class today. I could tell because afterwards you were worn out and tired from the excitement. Even when AJ and P came over to visit after class, you weren't your normal boundless self. You were ready for your nap. (Don't worry, they understood. Learning is tiring work!)
You are about to embark on an amazing discovery: linguistic, cognitive, and social development...well, that's many discoveries. Yes, you've still got a lot to learn. And mommy is here with you every step of the way.
Me quitting my job and staying home with you is the crux of what "Our Time" means. And I am positively thrilled at the prospect of watching you grow up. (not too quickly though, ok?)
Right now you are in this wonderful transition period between baby and toddler: that is, sometimes you are still a little babylike--where you explore things by putting them into your mouth, garble "words," and exist in your own world sometimes--and other times you show older, more toddlerlike behavior--where you try to communicate with words and affectionate gestures (you are truly an amazing hugger), you follow simple directions and participate in adult-led activites, and sometimes you can even eat snack from a bowl without spilling anything.
Today, by playing and learning with the "big girls," you took a big step towards toddlerhood.
And I am so very proud of you.
Love,
Mommy
technorati tags: toddlers, first day of class, kindermusik, our time, letters
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Four more weeks of work
Good news: I only have 4 more weeks of work!!!
(Can you see my happy dance?)
4 weeks may sound like a lot, but it feels great because the other good news is: the big project I've been working on is nearly finished! (yay!) I've completed all reviews and the copy should be pretty close to done. It's been extremely difficult this time around b/c the writer I'm working with has never published before & he's had a lot of process issues and questions and back-and-forth stuff that's taken more time and energy than expected. (I keep having to remind him that I only work "part time.") anyway, it's almost done and I'm getting esctatic in that I can FINALLY see the light at the end of the whole work tunnel. Hopefully by this time next week, this big projet will be done and the stress a thing of the past.
I'm really looking forward to November, when the National Novel Writing Month comes along. The timing seems to work out very well:
sept: finish & cut ties with work
oct: draft outline for my novel (that sounds so cool)
nov: write write write write write (all this for fun!)
dec: recover, do xmas, and try not to whine about how sucky my novel is
What a great end of the year it's looking to be!
technorati tags: NaNoWriMo, working mom
(Can you see my happy dance?)
4 weeks may sound like a lot, but it feels great because the other good news is: the big project I've been working on is nearly finished! (yay!) I've completed all reviews and the copy should be pretty close to done. It's been extremely difficult this time around b/c the writer I'm working with has never published before & he's had a lot of process issues and questions and back-and-forth stuff that's taken more time and energy than expected. (I keep having to remind him that I only work "part time.") anyway, it's almost done and I'm getting esctatic in that I can FINALLY see the light at the end of the whole work tunnel. Hopefully by this time next week, this big projet will be done and the stress a thing of the past.
You wouldn't think that working part time from home would be a big deal, but...throw in a very active toddler (who doesn't much enjoy naps, thankyouverymuch) and a big messy project with a newbie, and....well, just watch your head spin.
I'm really looking forward to November, when the National Novel Writing Month comes along. The timing seems to work out very well:
sept: finish & cut ties with work
oct: draft outline for my novel (that sounds so cool)
nov: write write write write write (all this for fun!)
dec: recover, do xmas, and try not to whine about how sucky my novel is
What a great end of the year it's looking to be!
technorati tags: NaNoWriMo, working mom
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